Search La Trobe

ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION-TOOLS AND TECHNIQUE

ELE3DDE

2018

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

The increasing complexity of digital systems has led to development of modern methodologies in digital design, simulation and production, collectively known as electronic design automation (EDA). In this subject students further develop digital design skills using current technology in textural and graphical tools for EDA. Students will investigate how digital systems can be described as a hierarchical structure of block diagrams, state machines, flow charts, truthtables and HDL code (VHDL). Designs can then be extensively simulated to check their integrity, and finally compiled and synthesized in a field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). The subject contents include: digital systems design methodology and design flow; architecture, design and synthesis issues;Register Transfer Level design, coding and synthesis; sequential system design;stare machines; clocking and timing issues; design validation; design for test;boundary scan and build-in self test. Hands-on practical work in laboratory classes, assignments and a team project form a major part of the learning in this unit.

SchoolSchool Engineering&Mathematical Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorDarrell Elton

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites ELE2DDP

Co-requisites ELE3EMB

Incompatible subjects ELE5DSD

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Readings

Resource Type

Title

Resource Requirement

Author and Year

Publisher

Readings

Circuit Design and Simulation with VHDLY

Recommended

Pedroni, VA 2010

2ND EDN, MIT PRESS

Readings

Design Recipes for FPGAs

Recommended

Wilson, P 2007

ELSEVIER

Readings

Digital Systems Design Using VHDL

Recommended

Roth, CH, John, LK 2007

2ND EDN, CL-ENGINEERING

Readings

FPGAS 101: Everything you need to know to get started

Recommended

Smith, G 2010

NEWNES

Readings

Rapid prototyping of digital systems: SOPC Edition

Recommended

Hamblen, J, Hall, T & Furman, M 2008

SPRINGER

Readings

VHDL 101: Everything you need to know to get started

Recommended

Kafig, W 2011

NEWNES

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Demonstrate knowledge of digital systems design using VHDL and Electronic Design Automation tools for implementing and simulating the operation of digital systems in hardware.

Activities:

Lectures cover VHDL design and methodologies for application to the representation of digital systems, from a top-down or bottom up view point. The nature and operation of hardware simulation is also discussed. Lab work covers the hierarchical implementation of a concurrent hardware sub-system

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Inquiry/ Research
(Inquiry/ Research)

Discipline-specific GCs
(Discipline-specific GCs)

Creative Problem-solving
(Creative Problem-solving)

Critical Thinking
(Critical Thinking)

02. Understand the difference between simulation and synthesis, and know when and how to apply appropriate descriptive/coding techniques for each situation with in the hardware design flow. Understand the nature of programmable logic technology and the synthesis process that converts design descriptions into realisable hardware.

Activities:

Lectures and labs focus on the implementation and testing of synchronous digital hardware. The assignment requires students to demonstrate knowledge and skills covered so far through the design, development and testing development of a digital design on a FPGA and write a report on its development, testing and operation.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy
(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

Discipline-specific GCs
(Discipline-specific GCs)

Creative Problem-solving
(Creative Problem-solving)

Inquiry/ Research
(Inquiry/ Research)

Critical Thinking
(Critical Thinking)

Writing
(Writing)

03. Explain how electronic design automation process allows design effort to be applied at higher levels of abstraction and how various design descriptions (e.g. state machines) are realised in hardware.

Activities:

The concept of design automation and a structured design flow is introduced. With various lectures each looking at different design description methods and their equivalent hardware associations. In Labs students explore and apply the practical application of design automation and various description methods.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Critical Thinking
(Critical Thinking)

Discipline-specific GCs
(Discipline-specific GCs)

Creative Problem-solving
(Creative Problem-solving)

Inquiry/ Research
(Inquiry/ Research)

04. Demonstrate the capability to work through a complete design cycle for a digital system implemented in programmable logic, using electronic design automation tools and techniques. That is, (a) analyse a problem and specify the required outcomes; (b) produce unique design solutions using state of the art design tools; (c) undertake appropriate testing and simulation to check design integrity; (d) integrate designs into larger systems; and (e) implement a working system in hardware.

Activities:

Design is a creative process where a system of interconnected parts is defined and developed to satisfy a specified objective. There are often numerous solutions to a design problem. Attainment of a "good" solution depends on the designer's knowledge, skills, experience, creative talents & innovative flair. These attributes cannot be "taught" in the traditional sense; they must be acquired by the individual through "hands-on" practical experience & open-ended problem solving. In lectures & tutorials various design solution paths are discussed, both on the macro & micro scale. While labs emphasise practical "hands-on" experience. Assignments & project work involve the development a sequential digital system utilising EDA techniques to specify, design, test & implement the hardware system.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy
(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

Critical Thinking
(Critical Thinking)

Discipline-specific GCs
(Discipline-specific GCs)

Creative Problem-solving
(Creative Problem-solving)

Writing
(Writing)

Inquiry/ Research
(Inquiry/ Research)

05. Work as an effective team member within a design team and apply knowledge and skills discussed above to realise a significant digital system.

Activities:

Practical work in the second half of the subject involves students forming in to teams (usually of 4 students) to implement a significant hardware digital system meeting a set of requirements provided to them. Various team roles are introduced and discuss when the project topic is provided. Weekly progress meetings are held where along with overall progress team dynamics and integration issues are also discussed. In the final report each team member is required to write a brief personal reflection on their experience and learning outcomes from the team project.